Quote:

To add a little more mud to the murky water - I read that the date is no longer required. For example if you post your song lyrics - Instead of the old C 2009 Your Name it is now acceptable as © Your Name. This is also true for books, etc.

Josie


Actually Josie, that's not true for music stuff. Here's what the Copyright Office has to say about it:

The notice for visually perceptible copies should contain
three elements. They should appear together or in close
proximity on the copies. The elements are:
1 The symbol © (the letter C in a circle), or the word "Copyright,"
or the abbreviation "Copr."; and
2 The year of first publication. If the work is a derivative
work or a compilation incorporating previously published
material, the year date of first publication of the derivative
work or compilation is sufficient. Examples of derivative
works are translations or dramatizations; an example of a
compilation is an anthology.
The year may be omitted when a pictorial, graphic, or
sculptural work, with accompanying textual matter, if any,
is reproduced in or on greeting cards, postcards, stationery,
jewelry, dolls, toys, or useful articles; and
3 The name of the owner of copyright in the work, or an
abbreviation by which the name can be recognized, or a
generally known alternative designation of the owner.*
Example: © 2007 Jane Doe